A Deal rower is pairing up with his rival to compete at the World Coastal Rowing Championships in Hong Kong.

Will Dennis, 25, is used to do everything he can to beat Bexhill's Mark Mitchell, 43, on the water.

For the past seven years they've been neck and neck competing in the men's senior sculls with Mr Dennis claiming four championships and Mr Mitchell taking three.

So, it came as quite a surprise when the older, more experienced racer approached his opponent to team up in a shot to represent their country.

Mr Dennis welcomed the opportunity with their entry, based on their coastal rowing achievements, accepted.

Sharing tactics for the first time, they are now training together in preparation for the three-day event. They fly out on Tuesday.

Mr Dennis said: "Mark said he had been toying with the idea and that we should have a proper crack at it.

"He's done it before and I thought he was likely to ask his previous partner.

"But I said I'd love the opportunity to pick something up if we can.

"I respect him quite a bit as an athlete. He's been doing this for a long time."

Mr Dennis, a mechanical technician, is being sponsored by his employer the Port of Dover.

He is training six days a week, with a typical session involving five six-minute sprints with a two-minute rest in between.

The race course is 6k, three times the length of a regular race. He must also prepare for competing in a FISA boat, much wider than the usual style, - something which he has not experienced before.

He said: "I don't really know what to expect.

"I've changed the length of my training to prepare for a longer race.

"With it being a longer race, you've really got to pace yourself right.

"I've just got to hope the other guys give up before I do."

"I've just got to hope the other guys give up before I do." - Will Dennis

Rowing has been a part of the former Castle Community College pupil's daily routine for 12 years. He is the first rower from the club to enter and compete in the event.

Other successes through the years include Ben Smissen who was a Junior World Champion and James Morgan who achieved bronze at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

He said: "I don't know where I'd be without it. It's force of habit and I enjoy being active.

"There's definitely days when I feel like I don't want to come up here and train but it's a great club and when you're with your friends it's even better."

Club captain Steve Duncan said: "On behalf of the whole club, we wish Will and Mark the best of luck.

"He's a good lad and he trains hard. He's certainly more committed than most."

Mr Dennis' parents Ray and Penny Dennis who have run The Ship Inn for 34 years are also rooting for their boy.

Mr Ray Dennis said: "Both Penny and I are extremely proud. I think half the pub and club are.

"I used to be into sport when I was younger so I took Will down there 12 years ago. It's a good club and it makes sense to give them something to do, a focus.

"He took to it and he's still at it.

"He starts work at 7.30am and when he gets back at 4pm, the first thing he does is grab his kit and his down to the club for training.

"We never thought it would come to this, and he's so modest about it."

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